God Gives Each of us a Second Chance

Hope your Christmas Week is going well and you're enjoying it with family, friends, or even if you've already had to go back to work (like Shirley and I have.....!). One thing to consider is that, even if we didn't have off as long as we'd like for Christmas, and have already returned to work, we have something to be thankful for--we have a job! And that's a good thing.

It's Christmas Week, and New Year's is next week. I've been meditating this morning on God's grace to each of us, and to me. Life on the planet can be rough sometimes--we know that. I'm sure at least one person reading this didn't get to see a family member or special friend this Christmas you really wanted to see. Those serving in the armed services overseas didn't get to see their families. I didn't get to see my daughter (I haven't seen her since Easter) or my parents. It's easy to get down about this kind of stuff. But we have to remember all the good things that God is doing for us this Christmas. Who did we get to see and spend some time with? That's a blessing. Did we spend Christmas with family and friends? That's a blessing.

I'll tell you what else is a huge blessing, the best we have: the Lord Jesus Christ has welcomed us to be with Him, and be a part of His family. He paid the ultimate price for us and has forgiven us and has become our Savior and Lord. That's an awesome thing. Anyone who knows me probably knows that although I received Him into my life at age 12, I fell several times in my walk and relationship with Him over the years, sometimes badly. Great thing is, He loves and forgives me, and has helped my back up, and dust myself off, and keep going, so many times. I don't deserve anything He's done for me. But I'm thankful for it! He's done it for you, too.

So what are you and me looking at this Christmas? Are we focusing on all the bad and negative things that happen, and on what others wrongly do to us or other people? Or are we looking at Jesus and telling Him that this is where I belong, with You, and obeying what You caused to be written in Your Word, the best I can, and staying close to you, the best I can?

I tell you, I've had it both ways: away from our Lord and empty and miserable; and with Him and fulfilled, content with Him, and seeing Him watch over all things in my life. I chose the latter: with Jesus.

I hope that in this season, and in the New Year, that's where you are, or the direction you're moving: with the Lord Jesus. If there's anything I can to do help you in that, please feel free to email me. I don't want anyone to miss the opportunity to enjoy a real life in Jesus.


Merry Christmas!
Happy and blessed New Year!
Fr. Francis Robert